Every Day is Earth Day! Creation Care Series, Part 2

This month we are finishing up our mini-series on Creation Care, which we started in April, partly in celebration of Earth Day. Did you know that the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970? Its founder, former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, was inspired to create this day of environmental education and awareness after seeing the oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969.

When my kids were young, they used to play an online game which began with the phrase, “Every Day is Earth Day!” The game helped young children identify different kinds of garbage and they were asked to place items in the appropriate ‘bin’. While items are being discarded, we see deer frolic, birds fly and fish splash around in the background, reminding kids (and parents!!) that nature doesn’t just belong to them. It’s simple, sweet, and delightfully effective.

While this game may seem fine for little ones, its message is for everyone. Do we behave like everyday is Earth Day – not just April 22^nd?

Here at Diaconal Ministries Canada, we truly believe that “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1). Something we, as Diaconal Ministries’ staff, were reminded of in our reading of the book “Earthwise; A Hopeful Guide to Creation Care”, is the importance of moving from awareness to appreciation to stewardship. While this topic can become quite polarizing, we hope we can all agree that creation care matters. The Deacon’s Mandate requires deacons to be “prophetic critics of the waste, injustice, and selfishness in our society, and be sensitive counselors to the victims of such evils… and in all your ministries help us participate in the renewing of all things even as we anticipate its completion when God’s kingdom comes.” They are also called, “in imitation of Christ’s mercy [to] teach us to love God, our neighbours, and the creation with acts of generous sharing, joyful hospitality, thoughtful care, and wise stewardship of all of God’s gifts.”

Do we behave like everyday is Earth Day? 

Why Should We Care About the Environment?

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Rev. 4:11

In a recent blog post on the Do Justice site, Cindy Verbeek, guest blogger and board member of Diaconal Ministries Canada, shares the following insights from the story of Noah and the Flood, found in Genesis 9:

“Genesis 9:8-17 describes those first moments when Noah and all in the ark with him were free to go into the world after the flood. The earth was refreshed and they were ready to start again.

Here God made his covenant with Noah. In my early days as a Christian, I read it as a covenant between God and all humanity. But it says something much bigger. If you look at this passage with an eye to understand God’s relationship with all creatures you might be surprised to see that God’s covenant is with Noah, his descendants, and every living creature that was with him.

And just in case we didn’t get it the first time, God says it 7 times: every living creature that is with you – the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals…every living creature on earth…every living creature with you…between me and the earth…between me and you and all living creatures of every kind…all living creatures of every kind on the earth…all life on earth.

So I can’t help but wonder – what if we actually believed that? What if every church, every Christian school yard, every piece of property owned by Christians was an oasis not just for our souls and hearts but for our physical world and being as well – for every living creature with us? We are covenant people after all.”

More than Just a Bandwagon

Environmentalism is most definitely not a new thing. Acid rain, oil spills and other prevalent issues seemed to bring things to a head and organizations like World Wildlife Fund and Green Peace were birthed already back in 1961 and 1971 respectively. For Green Peace, “direct action and shocking images” was the first line of defense in protecting the environment and educating the rest of society. And for a time, it proved successful. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, it seemed to me as though all of a sudden everyone cared about the environment and if you didn’t you were ostracized!

It would appear, though, that society’s awareness and care for the environment began to wane over the years. For a time, it seemed we had ‘everything under control’ and we were doing enough to care and protect the environment. Or were we? Nowadays, we hear about climate change, severe weather and another animal going extinct constantly. The alarm has been sounded once again and it would appear we have all hands back on deck. Plastic straws are being banned in municipalities across our country, carbon taxes are being implemented, and everyone seems to be running around with a Swell bottle, don’t they? So these things are helping, right? Or is this just another fad? Have we become a bunch of bandwagon hoppers?

So How Are You Doing Personally?

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Gen. 2:15

Do we, as followers of Jesus, take time to acknowledge and educate ourselves on creation care? Why or why not? How do we read Genesis 2:15 and understand it? What other stories or passages from the Bible speak about Stewardship of the environment, aka Creation Care? Now while I may be abiding by the 4 R’s and becoming more aware and appreciative of our beautifully and wonderfully made world, is there more to being a good earthkeeper than that? Is banning plastic straws enough?

What if every church, every Christian school yard, every piece of property owned by Christians was an oasis not just for our souls and hearts but for our physical world and being as well – for every living creature with us? We are covenant people after all.

Cindy Verbeek

Thankfully for us, many good folks in the CRCNA have put together some ways we can be good earthkeepers. Here are some ways to start today:

1. Get educated! Check out this article or watch this episode of Context with Lorna Dueck;
2. Get studying! Here are some books you can read and study alone or in a group, recommended by Office of Social Justice:
   1. Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action Practical, readable how-to guide to changing your lifestyle.
   2. Earthwise: A Guide to Hopeful Creation Care This book, now in its third edition, helps to provide us and our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and fellow citizens with practical information and ideas to become truly “earthwise.”
   3. For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care A thorough theology of creation care for pastors and lay-leaders.
   4. A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions Authored by a climate scientist and a pastor, this book offers straightforward answers to the many questions about climate change, without the spin.
   5. Living the Good Life on God’s Good Earth A group guide to care-taking through a series of topics: lifestyle, homes, food, clothes, etc.
3. Get practical! Check out Ten Ways to Care for Creation by Faith Formation Ministries and the Office of Social Justice.

How ‘Bout You, Deacons?

So deacons, are you leading and equipping your churches to be good earthkeepers? How is Creation Care part of your stewardship ministries? In our next article we’ll look at what we as the church, the collective Body of Christ, can do to steward the earth together.